Lebanon Targets Exports of 100,000 Tonnes From 2026 Apple Crop
Lebanon expects an apple crop of about 200,000 tonnes in 2026 and aims to export at least 100,000 tonnes. The Agriculture Ministry’s seven-track plan focuses on market access, buyer coordination, quality control and domestic promotion.
Export target set at half of expected production
Lebanon’s Agriculture Ministry has presented a roadmap for marketing the country’s 2026 apple crop, which it estimates at about 200,000 tonnes. The volume is broadly in line with Lebanon’s annual production average, according to a ministry statement reported by LBC Group.
The central objective is to export at least 100,000 tonnes, equivalent to half of the expected harvest. The ministry said moving that volume abroad would help absorb the crop, maintain balance in the domestic market and protect growers. The plan comes as harvesting, sorting and marketing activity moves into its most intensive period.
The roadmap consists of seven tracks covering export access, agricultural diplomacy, direct engagement in overseas markets, coordination between growers and exporters, support from importing countries, domestic promotion and supervision of the apple value chain.
Egypt, Jordan and Gulf markets in focus
The ministry said Gulf markets are open to Lebanese apples and other agricultural products. It is also working with Egypt on a broader agreement to increase annual Lebanese agricultural exports from 50,000 tonnes to 100,000 tonnes. That target covers agricultural products generally and is separate from the apple-specific export goal.
Lebanon has asked Jordan to begin importing Lebanese apples from mid-October. The ministry also requested presidential outreach to leaders of principal destination countries, identifying Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq. Lebanese embassies, working through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, are expected to support market entry and facilitate shipments.
Direct visits to target countries and meetings with agriculture ministers, traders and importers form another part of the program. The Agriculture Ministry and Economy Ministry also plan a meeting with ambassadors from Arab countries that import Lebanese apples, seeking practical support for access and wider distribution.
Coordination from orchards to cold storage
Inside Lebanon, the ministry is arranging meetings in producing regions between farmers, exporters and marketers. The discussions are intended to align expected volumes, prices, grading, packing and export requirements before bottlenecks emerge at the peak of the season. Earlier coordination is particularly relevant when the planned export volume represents such a large share of the crop.
The government will also promote local consumption through national apple days, media and digital campaigns, promotional materials and films. Alongside marketing, officials plan to supervise harvesting, sorting, packing, transport, storage, refrigeration, exports and sales. The stated aim is to preserve quality and ensure that shipments meet destination-market specifications. For growers and traders, execution will depend on whether market openings, commercial orders and logistics capacity are secured quickly enough to handle the targeted 100,000 tonnes.
